Table of Contents

The PACE System

Presenting Detailed information

Guidelines for Reporting New or Changed Symptoms

Tips About Medications

Medication Record Form

Stating What You Expect

Asking Questions

Sample Questions About Diagnosis and Prognosis

Sample Questions About Tests or Procedures

Sample Questions About Medications

Sample Questions About Other Treatments

A List of All Sample Questions

Checking Your Understanding of Information

Expressing Concerns

Summary

Tips About Making Appointments

Tips About Medical Records

Expressing Concerns About the Recommended Treatment

Sometimes patients experience problems following the treatment a doctor prescribes. For example, medications may have side effects that interfere with activities patients enjoy, or a diet may conflict with a patient's ethnic food preferences. Often when patients experience such difficulties they either change the prescribed treatment, or they stop following the treatment entirely.

Unfortunately, even if there are good reasons for changing or stopping a treatment patients can unknowingly hurt themselves by changing or not following the doctor's treatment plan. The solution to this dilemma is to be honest with your doctor in expressing concerns about the treatment. Don't hesitate to:

  • Explain how you are following the treatment (partially or not at all), and your reasons for doing so.
  • Express your willingness to work with the doctor to find a more agreeable treatment or to change the treatment to better meet your needs.

 At this time, please use the PACE Guide Sheet to write down concerns you have about any of the treatments that have been prescribed for you and what you would like to change and why.

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